Wall Street firms are waiting for people to die so they can get their life insurance money. And yes, it’s legal

Life insurance policies are typically thought of as something that's there for your family, should something happen to you.

But when it comes to the secondary market for life insurance, instead of loved ones receiving a benefit, it's often a Wall Street firm or a group of investors who will get the check when your number is up.

Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — 6 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one

Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake. Here's what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP

The tax breaks in Trump's 'big beautiful bill' expire after 2028. Here are 4 moves to make before the window closes

A life settlement is the sale of a life insurance policy that you own to a different entity than the company that sold you the policy. That party then pays the premiums on your policy, and when you die, it receives the benefit.

Here's how this business came about, the reasons some people decide to sell and what to look out for if you're considering a life settlement.

The life settlement industry began at a tragic time in American history. In the 1980s and '90s, the AIDS epidemic saw hundreds of thousands of Americans die, with a devastating impact on queer communities and gay men in particular.